Outdoor water use restrictions remain in effect Published April 20, 2007 By 78th Civil Engineering Group Robins AFB, Ga. -- During the summer of 2006, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a "Level One" drought condition throughout the State of Georgia, and this condition is still in effect. Under the State Drought Management Plan, a Level One drought condition calls for a ban on outdoor watering between certain hours every day. Based on these state-wide outdoor watering restrictions and base policy, the following restrictions remain in effect: Base residents residing in homes with odd-numbered addresses are permitted to use outdoor water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. Base residents residing in homes with even-numbered addresses are permitted to use outdoor water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. No outdoor water use, which includes watering lawns, washing cars or boats and cleaning driveways, is allowed on Fridays. "We are proud of the efforts of base residents and organizations in the conservation of our drinking water. Intelligent outdoor water use will continue to be the cornerstone of our conservation efforts as the state water shortage continues," said Becky McCoy, chief of the Environmental Management Division. Russell Adams, water quality program manager of the Environmental Management Division said, "We are experiencing a rainfall deficit of more than four inches in the Middle Georgia area. We're closely watching to see if Georgia EPD increases the drought condition to "Level Two" during April. The next level of drought restrictions would include a further restriction of hours we can use water outdoors." Mr. Adams said base water use restrictions will continue to support the State Drought Management Plan. Routine visual inspections by EM will continue to ensure protection of our water. Other actions that base residents can use to reduce water consumption include the following: *Maintain three to five inches of mulch around landscape plantings to hold moisture in the soil. *Use a hand-held hose to water only those plants that show signs of wilt. *Apply water directly to roots, not to leaves - water deeply, not shallowly. *Use drip or trickle irrigation or a soaker hose instead of a spray nozzle. *Whenever possible, let rainfall be the main source of water for your landscape. *Only water trees, shrubs and lawns once or twice per week. The duration of the current drought can not be determined, but water conservation will help speed recovery when it ends. What to know Find out what is being done across Georgia to conserve water, by visiting the GA EPD Water Conservation website at www.conservewater georgia.net. To find out more about the rules for outdoor water use and tips for water conservation at Robins, contact Russell Adams, water quality program manager, at 327-8304.